Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-19


a monument commemorative of this battle
was first definitely proposed, | do not know
No doubt many reader of early American
history, as he has dwelt upon this one of
its most striking and dramatic events. has
thought that it deserved worthy memo
rial. 1t is enough, however, for this occa-
sion TO say that the project first took or
ganized form and action under the charter
granted by our legislature in 1876. Among
the active managers of the association since
its organization under the charter may be
found the names of ExGovs. Proctor
and Fairbanks of this State, ExGov. Pres
colt of New Hampshire and Ex-Govs. Rice
and Talbot of Massachusetts,
Notwithstanding the fact that ten year.
have elapsed since the association was or
gained, | yet venture to congratulate its
officers upon the expedition made and the
early success which has crowned their eff
forts. All experience in these matters has
shown that save when undertaken and car
| ried forward by the government indefinite
time is required In December, 1899. both
houses of Congress adopted n resolution for
the erection of a monument 20 commemo-
rate the great events of the military and
political life of Washington, and yet the
! cornerstone was not laid until 1913 and it
was not completed until 1888 AMI never
would have been had not Congress in the
centennial year 1876 resolved; In the name
of the people of the United States to as
sumo and direct the completion of the
Washington monument in the city of
Washington.
Since its organization the officers of the
association and its friends have been unre-
hitting in their efforts to raise necessary
funds, secure a proper design and mature
plans for the earliest practicable accom-
plishment of the patriotic end in view. to
wit the erection of an imposing memorial
structure at Bennington. As it was by the
united and voluntary action of the veo-
many of the colonies of New Hampshire
and Massachusetts and the then independent
State of Vermont that the eventful victory
we celebrate was won, so it seemed eminent
ly proper that those States should Severallv
unite in making contribution to the cree
ton of such memorial Accordingly the
officers of the association presented the sub
iect to the legislatures of those States respec-
lively, and met from each prompt and
generous response. This State contributed
the larger sum, Sl5, OO0 and properly so.
considering the question of the locality of
the event and of its proposed memorial
Massachusetts contributed 81, 800 and New
Hampshire s., 600. The aggregate of these
sums was increased by private subscription
from all parts of the country TO the sum of
$40. 600. The 10th Congress of the United
States supplemented this sum by appropri-
ating an equal amount which has been paid
into the treasury of the association and is
now available for its purposes. The total
amount thus raised and pledged is $50, 900.
This State has recently, in 1886, made
further appropriation of $40, 600 for the
purchase of "A suitable site and grounds for
the monument 1t need not be supposed
that so much has been accomplished with
out much patient and persistent effort ON
the part of those charged with the duty of
raising funds. The usual hindrances and
delays which beset such schemeS have been
met and successfully overcome. No little
delay and perpexity has been occasioned
by differences of opinion as to the proper
design for the monumental sLch cases
never a subject upon which views easily
meet. Artists and connoisseurs often differ
widely as to the fitness of a given design
one declares in favor of an elaborate and
mystic symbolism unintelligible to the
common mind without a key. Another
prefers design distinguished by mere beau
y
artistic conception and finish: while per
haps third, undertaking or insensible to
the charm of beautiful form and graceful
outline, would prefer a shapeless boulder
symbolizing nothing save endurance. From
the number of designs submitted by different
artists, the directors with entire unanmity
and after careful delberation solicited the
one designed by Mr.. j. p. Rim sof Bos-
ton. 1t is believed that this design meets
every required demand. Its realized en-
bodiment, standing upon solid rock, will
rise, graceful in outline massive and males
tic in proportion, to the imposing height of
3OO. feet, its summit commanding a view of
the scenes SO memorable. SO standing it
will commend itself to the eye and iudg-
ment of future behOlders as a fitting memo
rial and symbol, both of the great event it
is designed to commemorate and the grand
and heroic character of the men whose
valor ON that August day SO long ago made
possible the victory at saltwater and the
surrender at Saratoga in the succeeding Oc
tober. And this brings me to notice very
briefly the historical significance of the
battle of Bennington and the bearing it
had directly upon the fate of Burgoynes
expedition, and more remotely, though not
less certainly, upon the result of the then
pending struggle between the colonies and the
mother country. | am not unaware that
this is a wel-worn theme. The story of the
battle i'll which so many of the citizens of
This county took part, is as familiar as
household word. Indeed, bloomington bat
tie are to them household words.
The story has been oft told by sire TO son
and gra"dsire to wonderingi grandchildren
gathered at his knee. 1t was from these
homes about us that so many went out to
meet and stay the invader, 1t is in many
of these peaceful homes that their kindred
and descendants now live Here, too, an
nually, as the years since I'M have flown,
the dwellers in this region have gathered and
by appropriate ceremonies observed the
anniversary of victory and delverance 1t
has been to them almost aS sacred rs the
annual festival of the passover to the Jews.
At each recurring anniversary the story
has been rehearsed anew. 1t has been II
theme fruitful of impassioned oratory aud
an inspiration to the poet and it has been
embalnled by the historian. What can |
say more, or other, or better, than what
has been spoken and written by your own,
,,nN ,t,t., Al.